PAX Australia will showcase VR with Omni Trackpads

VR has been all the buzz this year, with Oculus Rift releasing in March, HTC Vive with its room-scale tracking technology in April and Playstation VR dropping yesterday. We’ve got our hands on one of the PSVR sets here at LoadScreen and are in the process of reviewing it, but in the meantime you can see me having my little “OMG” moment before getting down to serious, objective reviewing business on Instagram:

But since Playstation VRs are sold out across Australia, and the Rift/Vive are hella expensive, the next chance any of you who are keen to check out the VR craze is at PAX Australia on November 4-6 in their dedicated VR Free Play area. And even those of you who have gotten your hands on some VR kit should consider checking it out because PAX is going all out to provide the most comprehensive setup they can.

The 234 square foot area, sponsored by Harvey Norman, will feature all three current VR options, with the added bonus that the HTC Vives will be paired with Omni Trackpads, which allow you to physically walk and run to move around in the game. Essentially, you strap yourself into a harness about a inverted dome which tracks your feet, all the while making you look like a damn fool.

Then again, what VR tech doesn’t make you look silly? (Source: Kickstarter)

On top of that, the Vive/Omni stations will feature green screens, which will presumably allow others to watch players as how they appear in the virtual environment like what was shown in the Vive’s launch trailer.

“VR dominates the headlines, yet most people have never had the chance to try it out,” said Jerry Holkins, co-founder, Penny Arcade and PAX, along with the announcement. “Trying that technology for the first time is a magical experience, and we’re glad to offer that moment to the tens of thousands of attendees coming to PAX Aus.”

This kind of setup would require Bond villain levels of wealth and gigantic mansion of space to match, so this really is a rare opportunity to experience these two technologies together. So get in quick and grab a day pass if you want to try it out, as PAX says three day passes are already sold out.

Anyhow, back to my PSVR and looking like an idiot in front of my neighbours.